11,400 jobs set for take-off at Manchester Airport City Enterprise Zone

Outline planning application for the £650 million business park at Manchester’s Airport City Enterprise Zone has been submitted to Manchester City Council following a period of public consultation carried out in the local area by the developers, M.A.G (Manchester Airports Group).

Airport City Manchester aims to compete with existing airport city and ‘aerotropolis’ projects outside the UK, such as at Munich, Barcelona and Amsterdam; and attract multi-national companies that require business space in a location that gives them highly accessible to a both major city and the global marketplace.

The application is for the development of a 65 acre area of land to the north of Manchester Airport’s terminals and railway station. The proposals comprise:

• 1.2 million square feet of offices
• 530,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing space
• Around 1,300 new hotel beds
• 62,000 square feet of ancillary retail
• Extensive new public realm and open-space, including a new 13 acre central park area
• New multi storey car parking spaces and cycle spaces
• A wide landscaped ‘green bridge’ over the M56 spur road to provide pedestrian access and a new iconic gateway

The project aims to attract inward investment and provide new employment opportunities for residents of Wythenshawe. Employment, education and training programmes are underway to maximise the use of local labour and supply chains. There will be additional jobs available during the construction phases ..

M.A.G’s Airport City Director, John Atkins, said:

“Airport City will attract investment from international businesses and become a catalyst for the wider long term regeneration of Wythenshawe, with the creation of thousands of new jobs. It brings a world-class commercial product that is sustainable and innovative to the UK for the first time – this presents Manchester with a unique opportunity add to its offer as a major European business city and will enhance the airport’s reputation as an economic hub and a global gateway to the UK.”